Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Oh What A Tangled Web
As this is written, the House Judiciary Committee is considering a resolution calling for a more thorough investigation into the circumstances behind the admittance of Jeff Gannon/Jeff Guckert into the White House Press Corps.
For those playing the home game, Gannon/Guckert was recently discredited as an uberpartisan working for Republican websites. In addition, Gannon/Guckert is the registered domain owner (or was, until this story broke) of several pornographic websites, including one that fronts for an "escort" service. Reportedly, Gannon/Guckert recruited active duty military men to pose for some of his sites.
Some outlets report that Gannon/Guckert is a longtime "friend" of White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan (who would have issued Gannon's/Guckert's pass). McClellan's sexuality has long been questioned in his native Austin, Texas. He is also the son of the state's comptroller, who is thought to be running in the 2006 Republican primary for Governor. Gannon/Guckert also has connections to John Thune, the man who defeated Tom Daschle.
The dirty details aside, this story raises some serious security questions (especially in the heavily secured world we live in today). Gannon/Guckert used a fake name (James Guckert is his real name...I think) and, according to some reports, a fake social security number to gain White House access. Gannon/Guckert had daily access to top administration officials, including the President, and attended CIA intelligence briefings.
Even Republicans should be able to admit that in addition to being a huge embarrassment, this was a massive security breech. The safety of the White House was compromised. Has anyone else been able to walk around that building using a fake ID? Any President, regardless of party, deserves more security than that.
For those playing the home game, Gannon/Guckert was recently discredited as an uberpartisan working for Republican websites. In addition, Gannon/Guckert is the registered domain owner (or was, until this story broke) of several pornographic websites, including one that fronts for an "escort" service. Reportedly, Gannon/Guckert recruited active duty military men to pose for some of his sites.
Some outlets report that Gannon/Guckert is a longtime "friend" of White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan (who would have issued Gannon's/Guckert's pass). McClellan's sexuality has long been questioned in his native Austin, Texas. He is also the son of the state's comptroller, who is thought to be running in the 2006 Republican primary for Governor. Gannon/Guckert also has connections to John Thune, the man who defeated Tom Daschle.
The dirty details aside, this story raises some serious security questions (especially in the heavily secured world we live in today). Gannon/Guckert used a fake name (James Guckert is his real name...I think) and, according to some reports, a fake social security number to gain White House access. Gannon/Guckert had daily access to top administration officials, including the President, and attended CIA intelligence briefings.
Even Republicans should be able to admit that in addition to being a huge embarrassment, this was a massive security breech. The safety of the White House was compromised. Has anyone else been able to walk around that building using a fake ID? Any President, regardless of party, deserves more security than that.
